Wednesday, 6 May 2009

Adriano Adewale Group at the Stables

One of the brilliant things about living in Milton Keynes, is that within a ten minute drive, we are at the MK Theatre, or the jewel that is The Stables.

On a whim, we went to The Stables for a concert at Stage 2 which began at 8.45 on Tuesday evening. We'd heard Adriano Adewale as part of the excellent Antonio Forcione gig that we attended last year. The audience was small even for this more intimate venue, but this made no difference to the musicians who gave it their all - we didn't leave until gone 11.00 p.m!

The group consists of Adriano on percussion and vocals, Kadialy Kouyate on kora and vocals, Marcelo Andrade on sazophones, flutes and rabeca, and Nathan Riki Thomson on double bass, flutes & kalimba. As for genre, it would be best described as 'world jazz'. It was at times intensely energetic, but at other times hypnotically slow, always within a beautiful and original sound world. Aside from the remarkable virtuosity of all the players and Adriano especially, the sound of the kora will stay with me. This harp-like instrument with 22 strings from Senegal, has an ethereal and totally enthralling quality.

You can buy the CD, Sementes, from Amazon, or listen on YouTube or at Spotify.

About Me

I’m a Baptist Minister, currently serving as the Regional Minister/Team Leader of the Central Baptist Association (155 churches). In what now seems like a former life, I was a professional musician, playing bassoon in the English Northern Philharmonia, the orchestra of Opera North. I remain passionate about music - and the arts - and continue to play regularly. I love what I have been called to, and am deeply grateful for two fulfilling vocations. I’m married to Cazz and have two sons, Jonathan and Andrew, and I live in Milton Keynes, ‘the world’s best new city’.